THE CANADIAN PRESS
TORONTO -- The Toronto Blue Jays have optioned outfielder Kevin Mench to triple-A Syracuse, the club announced Monday.
Mench, 30, has appeared in 42 games this season with the Blue Jays, posting a .235 avg. (23-98), with 10 doubles, one triple and nine RBI. The seven year veteran has appeared in 693 games for four different clubs, posting 89 home runs and a .269 career average.
A move to fill the vacant roster spot will be made prior to Tuesday's game at Tampa Bay.
In other moves, Toronto sent catcher Robinzon Diaz to the Pittsburgh Pirates, completing the trade for utilityman Jose Bautista.
Bautista was acquired by Jays on Aug. 21 for a player yet to be named.
Diaz, who is currently with Syracuse, was once seen as the club's catcher of the future, but he became expendable with the development of well-regarded catching prospects J.P. Arencibia, who is in double-A, and Brian Jeroloman, who's in triple-A.
He appeared in only one game with Toronto, a 5-3 loss at Tampa Bay on April 23, going 0-4 as a designated hitter.
Diaz has appeared in 36 games for Syracuse, hitting .244 (32-131) with seven doubles, one triple, one home run and 13 RBI.
